Inkster, Michigan · Est. 1977 · Four Decades of Groove

The
Funka
teers

Funkateer /ˈfʌŋkəˌtɪr/ — Noun An aficionado of the funk music and dance culture. A supremely skilled rhythmic individual possessing the ability to uniquely alter the human body in synchronized artistic expression and excellence.
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47+
Years Together
5M+
Combined Views
3×
NBA Halftime Shows
AGT
Golden Buzzer Winners
3
Festival Selections

Then & Now

A Dance Style
Born on the Block

The Funkateer Dancers are the originators of "Funkateering" — a street-dance style born in Inkster, Michigan in 1977. What began as a local movement grew into a national phenomenon, taking the group from Michigan dance floors to network television, professional halftime stages, and now to the screen in a feature documentary.

The Funkateers Then and Now
Then & Now
1977

Ed Miller, Charlie Hatcher, and Buddy Horn originate Funkateering in Inkster, Michigan, performing locally around Inkster and Romulus.

1980

The five-member lineup pioneers "Funkateering" — headlining the Jacksons' press conference in Chicago, winning the Michigan State Fair, and performing at Studio 54 in New York.

1983

Reach the final round of Star Search in Detroit and audition for Harry Belafonte's film Beat Street.

1984

Members appear on Dance Fever, Count Scary, and The Scene Dance Show — building a loyal Detroit following.

2026

Golden Buzzer on America's Got Talent from judge Terry Crews. Choreographer Ed Miller named a 2026 Kresge Artist Fellow.

"I saw the Funkateers do the moonwalk in 1980 — before Michael Jackson."

Eyewitness

National Acclaim

Television. Arenas.
The Internet.

🏆

America's Got Talent — Golden Buzzer

Historic Golden Buzzer from judge Terry Crews. Placed in the top 5% of all acts in their divisional round, capturing the hearts of judges and millions of viewers with timeless moves that don't age.

📺

Network Television Appearances

Featured live on The Today Show while still competing on AGT, and returned to daytime as guest performers on The Sherri Shepherd Show — bringing morning audiences to their feet both times.

🎬

Brand Alignment & Commercial Work

Produced and starred in a fully choreographed mock commercial for Icy Hot, demonstrating perfect brand alignment for the active senior demographic — proving the Funkateers are built for the screen as well as the stage.

Funkateer TV Performance
3× NBA Halftime

Built for the Big Stage

20,000-Seat
Arenas.

The Funkateers are proven crowd-pleasers in the biggest venues in professional sports. Their high-energy routines are tailor-made for halftime entertainment — keeping fans on their feet when it matters most.

Detroit Pistons — Halftime Performance (×2)
Phoenix Suns — Halftime Performance
Detroit America's Thanksgiving Parade — 101st Anniversary
Ford Field — Hobble Gobble Fundraiser
Detroit Pistons Belle Isle Appearance

The Group

Six Men.
One Move.

Ed Miller
Ed Miller
Founder & Choreographer · 2026 Kresge Artist Fellow
DeAmon Ellerson
De'Amon Ellerson
In Memoriam
Jeff Healey
Jeff Healey
Original Member
Mike Kelly
Michael Kelly
Original Member
Tony Lacey
Tony Lacey
In Memoriam
Tony Warren
Tony Warren
Original Member

The Film

Funkateer Dance:
Past, Present,
Future

A feature documentary tracing the dance style that influenced a generation — from its roots in Inkster, Michigan through to a national television breakthrough on the AGT stage. Now making its way through the festival circuit.

Detroit Black Film Festival
Official Selection · 2026
Grand Rapids Film Festival
Official Selection · Date TBA
International Festival — Sweden
Official Selection · 2026
Funkateer Documentary Poster

Technical Requirements

Stage-Ready.
Tour-Proven.

The Funkateers travel with a professional technical rider. Here's the overview — full documentation available upon booking confirmation.

Stage
Minimum 20' wide × 15' deep cleared performance area
Sprung wood, Marley, or smooth composite surface
No raw concrete, asphalt, grass, or carpet
Audio
Professional stereo PA with adequate sub coverage (L-Acoustics, d&b, Meyer Sound or equivalent)
.WAV & 320kbps MP3 playback via USB or laptop DI
Two (2) stage wedge monitors — DSL and DSR
Dedicated FOH engineer at soundcheck and show
Hospitality
Private climate-controlled dressing room, ground floor preferred
Full-length mirror, seating, and private restroom
Room-temp bottled water and clean hand towels

Let's Groove

Bring The Funkateers
to Your Stage

Ready to book The Funkateers for your arena, halftime show, television production, or brand campaign? We're built for the big stage and proven on national television.

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